CF Byron Buxton out of Twins' lineup for third straight game
Buxton is out of Minnesota's lineup for the third straight game since being scratched from Thursday's game with right hip soreness. The Twins are trying to avoid an IL stint for the star center fielder, who is slashing .260/.319/.580 (145 wRC+) with 15 home runs this season. While hearing that Buxton is out of the starting lineup today worries some fans, The Athletic's Dan Hayes provided an encouraging update on the center fielder on Saturday afternoon.
Byron Buxton is out of the lineup for a third straight day, but he was on the field participating in baseball activities and generally in good spirits. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 16, 2026
RHP Taj Bradley to make rehab start
Bradley is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, according to Hayes. Bradley, who was placed on the 15-day IL with right pec muscle inflammation on May 9, threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday at Target Field, manager Derek Shelton told reporters, including The Minnesota Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. As long as he feels fine during his rehab outing, Bradley's following start should be for the Twins. The righty has been the Twins' best starting pitcher this season, posting a 2.87 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate and 8.5% walk rate across 47 innings.
Update on RHP Mick Abel
Abel, who received a cortisone shot after feeling triceps soreness following a May 2 bullpen session, played light catch on Wednesday, per Nightengale. The Twins have no concerns regarding Abel's forearm or elbow ligaments, general manager Jeremy Zoll said. The former Phillie hurled 13 scoreless innings over his last two starts before landing on the IL with right elbow inflammation on April 20.
RHP David Festa likely out for at least two more months
Festa, who began the season on the IL with right shoulder impingement, underwent a stem cell injection in his shoulder on May 8 after he felt renewed shoulder soreness following facing hitters in simulated at-bats in Fort Myers, Fla., per Nightengale. The righty won't throw for the next three weeks and is likely out through at least the All-Star break.
LF Trevor Larnach returns to lineup after missing two straight games
Larnach is in the Twins' lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers today after missing the last two games due to upper back tightness. Despite hitting only one homer, Larnach has been one of the Twins' best hitters this year with an outstanding .398 on-base percentage in 118 plate appearances. He's also improved defensively, recording 2 Defensive Runs Saved in 2026 after posting -3 last season.
RHP Cody Laweryson begins rehab stint with Triple-A St. Paul
Laweryson, whom the Twins had placed on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain on April 10, began a rehab stint with the Saints on Saturday, allowing no hits and one walk in a scoreless inning of relief. In five outings with Minnesota before landing on the IL, Laweryson posted a 4.26 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.
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